Dragonfly snippet

I was watching the male Common Darters chase each other as they vied for apparently important stretches of water when a much larger Southern Hawker came by. Immediately a Common Darter took on the Hawker. It hadn't occurred to me that they would be aggressive to other species. As usual no picture achieved of the dragonfly dogfights but a Comma alighted on a nearby thistle so that's all I can offer.

New Species - Barn Owl

It is good to record a new bird species - even if I only heard it rather than saw it. I have seen barn owls before in the area but this was the first one at the Moat House for me. I heard it from inside and went out to look. I had narrowed it down to the Norway Spruce just the other side of the moat but a couple of minutes later some idiot helicopter arrived noisily right above us and the owl was gone.

Common Darter common

Loads of Common Darters around in the last few days. Yesterday I was watching two males arguing about territory. There were a lot of 180 turns on the spot which is some feat I reckon. Today I saw a pair copulating which is even more of a feat seeing as they can fly while locked in their embrace. The effect is of slightly wonky wheel in flight. Unfortunately the picture is of neither event - whilst I had my camera the best pose I got was a male just resting on the ground.